Pair arrested after vehicle break-ins at Westwood Mall

A 16-year-old boy and a 29-year-old man suspected of breaking into vehicles were arrested today near Westwood Mall.

Blackman Township public safety officers arrived at the mall at 1850 W. Michigan Ave. about 3 p.m. after a report suspects were breaking into vehicles, but the suspects already had left the scene, according to a public safety department news release.

Witnesses gave police a description of the fleeing vehicle and Public Safety Officer Paul Long spotted the vehicle on W. Michigan Avenue and attempted to stop it.

After a short pursuit, the two occupants got out of the vehicle and fled, according to the release.

Long quickly nabbed the driver, the 29-year-old, and Public Safety Officer Rick Gillespie arrested the 16-year-old after about a four-block chase.

The teen, who had escaped the Kalamazoo County Youth Home, was being held at the Jackson County Youth Home and was to be turned over to Kalamazoo County, according to the release. The adult was taken to the Jackson County Jail.